Edinburgh Rape Attacks Linked by DNA – Police Hunt Suspect
Detectives are hunting a man linked to two terrifying sexual assaults in Edinburgh during August 2015. Advances in DNA technology have confirmed the same man attacked both women.
Two Attacks, One Predator
Just after midnight on 27 August 2015, a 19-year-old woman got off a bus on 1 Road West. A man approached her in Newmills Road, brandishing a knife. He forced her into a nearby field and raped her.
Weeks earlier, on 5 August 2015, a 21-year-old woman was grabbed and sexually assaulted in Craiglockhart Quadrant. She had just alighted a bus on Colinton Road around 10.30pm. Police confirmed the attacker was not on either bus and believe he prowled the streets on foot.
Police Appeal for Public Help
Detective Inspector Jon Pleasance said:
“We believe we’re looking for the person you’d least suspect; someone whose community wouldn’t think is responsible for such horrific offences. We’re asking everyone, please think back to the summer of 2015. Was there someone in your life – a friend, family member or colleague – acting different? Was their behaviour around this time at all unusual for them?”
He added:
“Don’t dismiss your concerns, no matter how small they seem. We have a full DNA profile of the person responsible and so can quickly and completely rule people out. Help us find who did this.”
Context of the Attacks
At the time of the assaults, Edinburgh was buzzing with the Festival Fringe. The Royal Military Tattoo was marking the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with its “East Meets West” theme.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 0770 of 1 March 2021, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
